Signaling device



C. F. GILBERT.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

APPHCATION FILED'APR.2I, 1921.

1 $25,586. Patented Aug. 15;, 1922.

I ATTORNEY.

stares TENT new.

CHARLES IE. GILBERT, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

Application filed April 21, 1921. Serial No. 463,334.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. GILBERT, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signaling Devices, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in signaling devices especially designed for use on moving conveyances, wherein it is desirable that the signaling device may be operated by the driver from his position with out releasing his hold or removing his hand from the steering wheel. My object is to provide a device of simple, durable and inexpensive construction which is adapted to be easily positioned on and used in combination with the usual push-button form of signal switch. In the accompanying drawings I have shown my device attached to a switch placed below the steering wheel, but I do not limit myself to the particular form of construction shown, as it is apparent that it may be used in other forms and be otherwise positioned without departing from the spirit of my invention. I have shown it in this position to illustrate one specific embodiment of my invention.

My improvements consist in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter fully, clearly and concisely set forth, definitely pointed out in my claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a View from above, showing a switch attached to a steering post and my device in position. In Fig. 2 is shown an end view of a clamp. Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. i a bottom. view of said clamp. Fig. 5 shows an operating lever.

In the drawings 6 is a steering wheel of the usual form and construction. 7 is a steering post to which is attached a switch 8 having a push button 9. 10 is a clamp having ears 11 through which a bolt 12 may be passed for the purpose of contracting the clamp. This clamp has a flange 13 at one end thereof which is preferably formed interal therewith by turning the edge of the glamp inwardly. A notch 1& may be made in the clamp in order to facilitate the formation of said flange, and a re-inforcing piece 15 may be joined to the clamp, at the inner extremity of said notch, in order to compensate for any weakness that may be caused in the clamp by said notch. This clamp may be made of any suitable material, preferably a spring metal.

In the drawings I have shown this clamp in a cylindrical form, but it is, of course, obvious that it may be made in any form that is adapted to conform to the contour of the switch upon which it is positioned. The clamp is contracted around the switch by means of the bolt 12 and sufiicient space is left between the ends of the clamp to allow the operating lever 16 to move freely. This lever has a dished portion 17 at one end adapted to be transversely positioned inside of the clamp between the flange 13 and the push button 9, preferably in contact with these members, in which position it is securely held and from which it cannot be accidentally displaced. In this position the flange 13 restrains the dished portion from-any outward movement and serves as a fulcrum for the lever, which may be moved in any direction to operate the push-button. The lever has a handle 18, preferably turned at an angle to the lever, and of such length that the end thereof is in close proximity to the rim or gripping portion of the steering wheel.

I claim:

1. A clamping member adapted to be positioned on a push-button switch, said clamping member having means for holding an enlarged portion on the load end of a lever member, an opening in the clamping member whereby the load end. of a lever may be inserted, and means on the clamping member for restraining the outward movement of the load end of a lever which means serve as a fulcrum for a lever.

2. The combination of a clamping member adapted to be positioned on a push-button switch and means for holding said clamping member on said switch; a lever having an enlarged portion for the load arm extending within the clamping member, means for positioning the load arm of the lever within the clamping member, means on the load arm of the lever for bearing on the push-button and a power arm of the lever, extending outwardly from the clamping member towards the rim of a steering wheel.

3. A signaling device comprising a lever having an enlarged portion thereof adapted to serve as a load arm and bear upon a, push button, a clamp, means for attaching said clamp to a push-button switch, said clamp having an opening toreceive the load arm of-a lever and; means on theclampto serve as a fulcrumfor a lever.

4. The combination of an open seam cyl inder adapted to be positioned upon. a pushbutton switch, means for holding the cylinder around said switch, aflange on the end of the cylinder, and a lever member having anenlarged dishedelement on one end thereof adapted to bear on" the pushbutton of said switch.

5*.The combination of an open seam cylinder adapted to be positioned on a pushbutton switch, means forholdingthe cylinder around the switch, a lever member, an enlarged end on the lever member adapted member whereby the load arm of a lever may be inserted within said clamping member; means on said cla'mpmg member for restraining the outward movement of the load arm of said lever; means on said clamping member which, serve as a fulcrum for said lever; a lever having an enlarged portion for the load arm, said load arm extending within a clamping member and adapted to bear upona push-button, and a power arm extending outwardly from said clamping member.

CHAS; F. GILBERT. 

